An
actor never forfeits a line. Think of each electronic message as an
opportunity to reinforce your individuality in the minds of those
who might someday be called upon to evaluate you. Like a good actor,
get in character, and stay in character.

Instant
Message

Dear
Annette,

My coworker and
I work very closely and constantly share information and results.
Our offices are right next to each other. We email each other constantly.
Lately I've been getting the cold shoulder, and have finally learned
why. Apparently he’s frustrated because I send him email messages
that have just an attachment and a subject line. Am I supposed to
put smiley faces on all my internal correspondence?

Frowny Face

Dear
Frowny Face,

Email customs seem to
stimulate the amateur documentary filmmaker in all of us, and I'm
certainly no exception. It can be fascinating to read all the different
styles of email  the urban legends, the newsletters, the virus
hoaxes, and the genuine correspondence from real people. Many people
are still asking themselves whether email is writing, speech, both,
or neither. The answer depends on the type of email.

You and your coworker are
exchanging messages and files in a form of correspondence that is
like speech. And in speech, you can't just hand someone something.
Youve got to say a few simple, courteous words, like "Darling,
would you care for another strawberry?"

Even if you say, "Here
is the Strawberry file" as you press the Send key, it is in
your best interest to enclose a little message with your message.
There are practical reasons  your esteemed colleague can find
the precious document later, you can later demonstrate to your biographer
that indeed you sent it. And there are interpersonal reasons as
well. Your one-line missive, complete with greeting and closing,
tells your coworker you think he's fabulous enough to deserve a
complete message every time.

Besides, if you have ever
been on the stage, you know an actor never forfeits a line. Think
of each message as an opportunity to reinforce your individuality
in the minds of those who might someday be called upon to evaluate
you. Like a good actor, get in character, and stay in character.
Develop a special quirk, a way of signing messages perhaps, that
personalizes them and makes the recipient look forward to receiving
them. Your signature file is not enough, just as a piece of letterhead
doesnt substitute for the message it carries.

Use this calling card every
time you email. Like any habit  using a turn signal even when
driving home from an afterparty at 4:00 in the morning comes to
mind  consistency is the key to success.

If you want something even
more immediate and more informal than email, consider chat.

The most successful email
establishes mutual fabulousness when you treat your recipient as
though he were the most important person in the world and, in the
style with which you do so, reinforce what an outstanding character
you are.